I am from Wichita Falls, Texas and Becky is from Jennings, Louisiana. We were both raised as Methodists.  We met in Houston in 1977, where we happened to live in apartments next door to each other.   

Soon after moving to Houston from UT Austin, I learned that Dr. Walter Underwood was the Senior Minister at St. Luke’s.  He was my pastor back home.  I had been friends with his son Wally.  My mother and Billie Underwood were friends.  My mother made sure that all of us “Kidd kids” were involved in every aspect of the church – Choir, Sunday School, MYF, Youth Musicals, Scouts. Naturally, I started attending St. Luke’s right away, and soon Becky and I started dating. 

We were married by Dr. Underwood on March 1, 1980, in the Sanctuary.  The next year we were invited to start a Sunday School Class for newly married couples.  In the early days, we had sponsors to help navigate the ups and downs of a new class.  First, it was Ann Coker, then later Mike and Ellen Kelley. The class was named Genesis and we are still active members today, nearly 40 years later!  Most of our closest friends have been a part of this class over the years.  Even though many have changed churches, we keep in touch.  In the mid-’80s when we were both laid off in the oil bust, it was the Genesis Class that supported us through the tough times.  Great memories and fellowship! 

In the 80’s we were raising our children, Elizabeth (‘82) and Mark, Jr. (’85), but we still found time to volunteer.  I served and later chaired the Community Ministries Committee and was appointed by Dean Robinson to represent SL at the International Seaman’s Center at the ship channel, part of our outreach at the time. 

As our kids grew, we helped with UMYF and taught Sunday School – Becky with elementary and me in 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th grades.  8th grade was skipped because the trio Richard Ethun, Bill Evans and Charlie Lusk had a lock on 8th-grade students for many years!  I played guitar for the Youth band Sunday mornings and helped lead UMARMY trips and other activities.  Becky instigated a youth program called Sex, God, and Me borrowing the program from Meg Rice at St. John the Divine. 

In the 90’s we participated in Disciple Bible Study I, II and III and made more new friends while digging into the Scriptures.  Becky and I also attended the Walk to Emmaus in 1993.  If you are not familiar with Emmaus, its primary objective is to develop leaders in the local church. 

Becky worked on the church staff from 2001 to 2006 supporting Benny Vaughn, Kim Wheless, Peter Miller, and Boyd Wagner.  She loved working near Cynthia Sarver and Dr. Moore. 

In 2002, St. Luke’s elected to start a Contemporary Worship Service on Sunday mornings.  Mike Eason invited me to join on acoustic guitar.  He assembled a volunteer band and we began rehearsals, eventually becoming Remote Control and playing almost every Sunday until 2006.  Again, new friendships and opportunities to serve the church. 

When our time with the band was done, I remember telling Becky (who was on staff) that I wanted to continue serving the church but did not want to just sit on a committee.  I think she may have mentioned that to some key people.  Soon, I received a phone call from Dr. Pace asking me to serve on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and to plan to chair it the following year.  Since my career is in commercial real estate, I accepted.  In those days, the Chair of B&G also served on the Executive Committee and so started my eleven-year run of serving on the Executive Committee as part of chairing various commissions and committees. 

In 2009, SL was considering the idea of merging with Gethsemane UMC on Bellaire Blvd.  Out of curiosity, I drove to the campus to check it out.  As things progressed with the merger, I asked Sally Matthews who would be leading Due Diligence on the building to make sure we knew what we were getting.  She said, “I think you are!”  That started my involvement with Gethsemane, working with Tom Brown as architect, and outside consultants examining the building systems and making recommendations.   

Later, I served on the Gethsemane Site Council and became friends with Pastor Justin Coleman, Robbie McDonough, Chicky and Corky Fowler, Sam Catli and many others.  

After the B&G Committee, I was nominated to the Finance & Administration Commission and later served as its Chair.  Following that role, I have been honored to serve St. Luke’s as Chair of the Audit Committee, Board of Stewards (2012), Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, Board of Trustees, and the Foundation Board.   

I served on the Building Committee when we remodeled the Sanctuary and built the education building and parking garage, and later the Fellowship Hall renovation.  Each of these roles has been rewarding and strengthened my faith and friendships to see what God can do through us. 

In 2009 at our Men’s Life table, our group was discussing difficult life decisions.  It was at that table, with the support of the group, that I made the decision to start my own company in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage.  That was just another moment when the church and God stepped directly into my life. 

Unaware that I would soon be handing the real estate for the Foundation, I offered to help negotiate a lease renewal with Vista Bank Texas in the building now occupied by Bebidas.  John Duffie had been handling the Foundation’s real estate for about ten years and was gracious to help me understand the properties owned by the Foundation.   

For nine years, I have served as the Foundation’s broker, leasing that little building twice; leasing 3502 W Alabama three times, currently to Avenu Fit; refurbishing and re-tenanting 3501 W Alabama, including CCSC while they build their new building; purchasing three of the six townhouses on Edloe that were recently razed; purchasing former Vet Clinic building on Edloe; purchasing the office building and land on Joanel Street and leasing it to Syndenham Health Clinic; selling the land at 3000 Alabama Court; and keeping a close eye on market transactions anywhere near St. Luke’s.  I have enjoyed serving the church in this way.  As we learn in worship, do everything as if for Christ and do your best.  The Foundation has saved significant transaction costs and I am proud of our real estate effort. 

Currently, the Foundation Investment Committee and the weekly Men’s Emmaus Reunion Group are my focus.  We continue as members of the Genesis Class and our LIFT Group. 

Dr. Pace married Elizabeth and Will in the Sanctuary in 2011 and Mark, Jr., and Sarah in the chapel at Rice University in 2015.  He baptized Wyatt and Berkeley, our amazing grandchildren. 

The current COVID-19 situation and national unrest has been very trying for all of us.  Becky and I truly miss attending church and Sunday School weekly, worshiping God, seeing friends, making new friends, hearing great music, and growing in our faith.   

We know that God is in control and that someday soon we will understand how this period is being used to serve the Kingdom.  We are so thankful to Dr. Pace and the staff for the creative ways they have developed to keep us connected, even though not face–to–face.